If you live in Bishopstoke and you're weighing up whether an alpaca walk is worth the short drive to Itchen Valley Country Park, here's what you actually need to know before booking.
What to Expect on Your Walk
This isn't a petting session where the alpacas are held for you — you're given the lead rope and you walk your own alpaca yourself, with an experienced Hensting Alpacas handler guiding the group throughout. The full experience runs around two hours, most of which is spent walking the park's fields and trails, with time built in at both ends for meeting your alpaca and taking photos. We keep group sizes manageable so nobody's stuck waiting at the back.
Getting There from Bishopstoke
Itchen Valley Country Park is at Allington Lane, West End, Southampton, SO30 3HQ — roughly a ten to fifteen minute drive from most parts of Bishopstoke, whether you come via Fair Oak and Allbrook or loop round through Horton Heath. There's free parking on site, so there's no need to factor that into the day.
Who Should Book
We welcome all ages. Children aged 3 to 12 share a lead with an adult, those aged 12 to 16 can lead their own alpaca with an adult present, and anyone 16 or over can walk independently. It's a genuinely good fit for Bishopstoke families looking for something different from the usual soft play or cinema trip, for couples wanting an unusual date, and for grandparents bringing grandchildren along — we regularly see three generations booking together. Our accessible walks run every Wednesday from April to October, with free carer tickets, and baby alpaca walks are available for anyone who wants extra time with this year's youngsters.
What to Wear
Sturdy, comfortable footwear is the main thing — the park's paths cross grass and can be muddy after rain, so wellies or walking boots are a safer bet than trainers in winter. Layers work well year-round since much of the walk is outdoors and open to the weather; a waterproof is worth throwing in the car regardless of the forecast.
Prices and How to Book
Walks start from £32 per person, with family packages from £92 and baby alpaca walks from £54. An extra walker can join for £18, and £4.50 covers rescheduling insurance if you'd rather not risk losing your slot to bad weather. You can see live availability and book directly through our alpaca walking near Bishopstoke event page, or call us on 0333 050 4012 if you'd rather talk it through first. Gift vouchers are available too, if you're booking this for someone else in the village rather than yourself.